What gives?

[Merek]

My hardest use knives have always been Buck 110s and never had any failures except a few tips and one snapped blade (dropped 15'+).
Of folding knives in general, what is the weakest point/most often broken part? The tips seem to go pretty frequently due to abuse or mishap, but what about the other parts like pins, scales, locks and bolsters?

 

[ErikD]

The weakest link in any folding knife is the pivot pin and lock. The problem is that it is designed to fold, and if given the right stresses and in the right sequence, etc. it will fail.

 

[JDBLADE]

As part of my business I repair knives. The most common problem - broken tips whether folders or fixed. The second locking springs on cheap knives - advice throw it away and get a quality knife it will cost more to fix it then replace it.

 

[glockman99]

Yup...Broken tips, from folks who try to use their knives as prybars or screwdrivers.

 

[bob bowie]

Yep, broken tips from prying/screw drivering. Then I would say lateral play, then vertical play. Prying seems to damage knives more than anything else.